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World Cup: Landon Donovan to analyze US team for ESPN

Associated Press
2:14 p.m. EDT June 11, 2014

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (10) reacts after scoring his 136th MLS goal in the second half of the game against the Philadelphia Union at StubHub Center.(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor)

LOS ANGELES — ESPN has hired Landon Donovan to offer commentary on the U.S. soccer team he was cut from just before the World Cup.

The all-time American leader in goals and assists, the 32-year-old Donovan was dropped last month in a highly debated move by coach Jurgen Klinsmann. He will make his debut during ESPN's two-hour World Cup preview show Wednesday.

"Adding Landon to our ESPN roster just before the World Cup is a coup because he knows the United States team better than anyone having played such a huge role in its success, especially at this event," said Jed Drake, ESPN's executive producer for World Cup coverage. "Landon is also one of this country's biggest sports stars and we believe that he will help attract even more fans to our monthlong coverage."

Donovan will work out of the company's Los Angeles studios, with a particular focus on his former team. He will provide analysis before and after the Americans' group-stage matches and during halftime. Donovan will also appear on shows such as "SportsCenter."

Donovan played in the last three World Cups, scoring a U.S.-record five goals. His thrilling stoppage-time goal against Algeria sent the Americans to the second round four years ago.

Former teammate Jozy Altidore said in Sao Paulo he wasn't too surprised by the move.

"He's a smart guy. He knows the game very well," Altidore said. "It was always going to going to happen — right? — him to be a commentator."

Donovan said in a statement released by ESPN that he hoped "to provide unique insights for our amazing U.S. Soccer fans."

Klinsmann: Unrealistic for US to expect title

(Photo: Julio Cortez AP)

Jurgen Klinsmann maintains the United States shouldn't be expected to win the World Cup, even if that stance is upsetting to some fans back home.

"If it's now American or not American, I don't know. You can correct me however you want," the U.S. coach said Wednesday in his first news conference after arriving at the World Cup.

Klinsmann won the 1990 World Cup as a player for West Germany and coached Germany to the 2006 semifinals. He caused a stir last weekend when he was quoted by The New York Times Magazine as saying in a December interview "we cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet."

The U.S. opens Monday against Ghana, then plays Portugal and Germany in one of the more difficult first-round groups.

"I think for us now, talking about winning a World Cup is just not realistic," Klinsmann said Wednesday. "First we've got to make it through the group. So let's stay with our feet on the ground and say let's get that group first done, and then the sky is the limit. But a half a year before and even today before the World Cup starts, to say that we should win the World Cup is just not realistic."

Traffic jam: Belgium-US scrimmage called off

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots didn't want to get caught in one of Sao Paulo's famous traffic jams, so Thursday's scrimmage between the Red Devils and the United States was canceled.

The closed-door session had been scheduled to take place at the Sao Paulo Futebol Clube, where the U.S. has been training for the World Cup since Monday. Belgium has been working out about 30 miles away in Mogi das Cruzes.

The U.S. Soccer Federation said Wednesday that Wilmots and American coach Jurgen Klinsmann spoke and called off scrimmage.

Sao Paulo is known for traffic congestion, which was made worse by a subway strike that began last Thursday and was suspended Monday. While the strike was halted, the union said it could resume Thursday when Brazil hosts Croatia in the World Cup opener.

Wilmots said that he "will not take the risk to go to Sao Paulo, looking at the possibility of a strike and traffic jams."